Kindle's not just for the whippersnappers
Today, Amazon unveiled their new, ginormous Kindle DX. That name makes me think of a car, rather than a book, but I'm sure their marketing people know what they're doing.
So what's so big about it? First off, the screen is 9.7 inches (as opposed to the Kindle 2's 6 inches); the device holds about 2,000 more books and periodicals, and, oh yeah, THE PRICE: $489.
There are some nice new perks, as well. The screen can switch from portrait to landscape as you turn it, making maps, graphs and pictures much easier to view. And the DX has a PDF reader so that your personal documents will be accessible without worrying about conversion.
Meanwhile, there's some evidence that the larger screen was definitely the way to go, since Kindle users' age demographics seem to mirror newspaper subscribers. This unofficial poll found that, of 700 Kindle owners, more than 50 percent were 50 or older, and more than 70 percent were 40 or older.
My own age bracket of 20-29? A paltry 10 percent.
So what do you think? Are you more or less likely to buy a Kindle now? How about for Mom? Mother's Day is right around the corner...
Comments
I hear the rumored Apple "media pad" (an iTouch on steroids that will play music, movies, and surf) is going to bury Kindle. Good thing there wasn't a GutenbergDX or the "book" would have lasted as long as these e-readers.
P.S. My mom will disown me, if she hasn't already, if I show up Sunday with a Kindle.
Posted by: Gregg | May 6, 2009 2:32 PM
One of the things I like about my Kindle is the size- Bigger is not better! I do read more newspapers than books on my Kindle, but one of the reasons I got the Kindle is the convenience of carrying around books and maybe a newspaper without taking up too much real estate. What's next for Amazon- the Kindle laptop?
Posted by: Suzanne | May 6, 2009 6:19 PM
I'm still concerned about the implications for the publishing world if Kindle becomes the only game in town for electronic readers. I won't be getting one.
Posted by: bonnie | May 7, 2009 9:48 AM
Dude-- no. How many books can you buy for about $500??? Lots.
I will buy a kindle when either:
1. I suddenly have extra cash (2009 tax refund) or
2. The price drops to around $199/$250
Posted by: kribby | May 7, 2009 2:52 PM
I won't be buying a Kindle any time soon either. The price is a real killer and even then you have to pay for the books, newspapers and magazines that you put on it. There is another problem. This may come as a surprise, but reading newspapers at my house is a communal experience. On good days my husband and I linger over breakfast coffee and swap sections. On other days, I read and leave it for him to find when he gets up. If I move to the Kindle, then we both have to get Kindles. And then we both have to get the same newspaper subscriptions. I supposed I could get one newspaper on mine and he could get another on his and we could swap, but then he would end up with my Kindle with my other books. I realize that with the Kindle's capacity, we could both load the same books so that swapping back and forth wouldn't be such an issue, but then we would be paying double for the same books... I am not saying never. I think the Kindle is neat, but I am saying not now.
Posted by: summom | May 8, 2009 3:49 PM